Unable to install OS X on older Mac desktop

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Level 1

4 points

Unable to install OS X on older Mac desktop

Hello, I recently received an old Mac desktop when my wife's cousin passed away. It's a MK482LL/A. It seems like a pretty nice unit. Anyway, apparently it is older than Apple supports. The drive (2TB) got wiped and now will not reinstall OSX. I've got it logged into my WiFi, and it downloads OS. But, when it gets to the point of install, it comes back with an error message saying it can't install OSX due to something or other not being available for my computer.

Any help would be appreciated. I'd hate to throw this thing away. It seems really nice (if a bit dated).

Thanks

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Nov 13, 2025 10:12 AM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

58,203 points

Nov 13, 2025 10:39 AM in response to vpump644

> MK482LL/A

That maps to a iMac from 2015. The latest OS version it supports is Monterey (MacOS 12.x)

> "... due to something or other not being available..."

Knowing what that 'something' was would go a long way to finding a solution.

> "The drive (2TB) got wiped"

How was it wiped? Even that system supported a Recovery Drive, and you should be able to use that to reinstall the OS. Is that what you're doing? If not, how are you booting the system and trying to install? from an external drive?

More detail is needed to be able to determine the best path forward.

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